More US Senate Loses For Republicans in 2010?
Posted Dec 22, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Maurice Berger, Political Director, PollTrack
The inimitable Charlie Cook speculates that Republicans may once again be in for a rough ride in contest for US Senate seats in 2010. "If the playing field is level and no national dynamics are in play," Cook concludes, "Democrats should pick up a few more seats, but it's hard to think that
national dynamics won't be at work, one way or another. New presidents
often make missteps, and their honeymoons can end quickly. If that
happens this time, a few of the vulnerable Republican seats would
likely become less so, and a few of the Democratic seats that appear
relatively safe would come into play." Yet, Cook wonders if downturn in enthusiasm for the Republican brand will continue to haunt the party in two years:
"If Republicans
are still 8 or 9 points behind in party affiliation, if their 'brand'
hasn't been repaired, and if they are still facing a competence gap --
an attribute they used to own -- this could be yet another very painful
cycle for them."
